Latest news with #KatyNastro
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Do You Have An 'Aisle Lice' Problem? Here's How To Tell.
If you've ever taken a flight, you know the chaos that often ensues after landing when the pilot turns off the 'fasten seatbelt' sign. People are jumping to their feet, swinging their bags down and in some cases, even getting into altercations. And of course, there are the 'aisle lice.' This deplaning phenomenon is quite common, but it can be frustrating nonetheless. Below, travel and etiquette experts break down what the term 'aisle lice' means and what you should know about this behavior before your next flight. What does 'aisle lice' refer to? ''Aisle lice' is a term used to describe airline passengers who immediately stand up and cluster in the aisle as soon as the plane arrives at the gate, often before the seatbelt sign is turned off,' said Lauren Gumport, vice president of communications at Faye Travel Insurance. It's related to the concept of 'gate lice,' the folks who crowd the gate area at the airport during the boarding process, well before their group number is called. 'Anyone who has been on a commercial flight in economy knows the cramped nature of deplaning,' said Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the flight alert service Going. 'Elbows in faces, bags coming from all angles in the overhead bins and of course, the impatient people who crowd the aisle. Regardless of seat assignment, some people will rush to the front of the aisle in an effort to deplane as fast as possible.' Although aisle lice typically refers to those who refuse to patiently wait in their designated seat until their row's turn to deplane, the term might also apply to passengers who stand and take up space in the aisle at other inopportune moments. 'So long as the attendants have finished their service, it is perfectly acceptable to stand or walk back and forth to stretch your legs. If there is beverage or meal service, you need to remain in your seat.' said Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. 'While generally used when referring to airplanes, aisle lice can also be found on trains, buses, subways, and even boats,' she added. What's driving this phenomenon?'In some cases, people are trying to make a tight connection, and they are likely the ones to rush ahead with an apology attached to provide context as to why they need to cut ahead,' Nastro said. 'Others are just too impatient to wait either in their seat or near their seat, inching as close to the plane door as possible without any regard for the unofficial deplaning protocol. Maybe they are late for a business meeting, or family emergency.' Whatever the case, she added that it's rare to get a full explanation as to why a particular passenger feels they should be allowed to deplane out of order. Smith emphasized that there can be valid reasons for aisle lice behavior. For instance, there might have been a long delay that shortened passengers' connection times. In these cases, even a few moments can mean the difference between making the next leg or being stranded overnight. 'But other passengers are just done being seated and want to stand to stretch their legs,' Smith said. 'And yes, there are a subset of passengers that are just plain pushy.' After long delays, flight attendants often make a pre-landing announcement asking passengers arriving at their final destinations to stay seated and allow those with tight connections to deplane more quickly. However, not everyone honors such requests. 'Aisle lice behavior is often driven by a mix of impatience, anxiety and a desire to be among the first off the plane ― whether to catch a tight connection, beat the crowd to baggage claim or simply stretch after a long flight,' Gumport said. 'In some cases, it's habit or social mimicry. People see others standing and assume they should, too.' She added that standing prematurely doesn't speed up the deplaning process in most cases. 'And it can create unnecessary congestion and tension, especially in tight cabin spaces,' Gumport said. 'That said, I wouldn't label it malicious ― it's more of a minor annoyance.' Dollar Flight Club founder and CEO Jesse Neugarten agreed that the phenomenon can be annoying, but the urge is relatable. 'I've definitely found myself standing up earlier than I needed to, especially on long travel days,' he said. 'This is one of those classic examples of how air travel kind of brings out weird habits in all of us. Everyone's tired, no one wants to be last. It's not the biggest deal, but it's one of those things where if everyone just relaxed a bit, the whole process would be smoother for everyone.' How can you not let aisle lice disrupt your air travel experience?'Aisle lice has become an even hotter topic in some places,' Nastro noted. 'Recently, Turkish Aviation Authorities have implemented a fine for people who stand up too early in the deplaning process, specifically when it is not safe to do so. These are extreme cases of people really going beyond deplaning etiquette.'In places where passengers are not fined for bad deplaning behavior, however, there are different ways to deal with aisle lice. 'Stand by and let pass, or kill 'em with kindness,' Nastro advised. 'If someone does rush ahead, you can consider politely asking if they have a connection or emergency, and if not, just explain that there is a general deplaning etiquette that ensures everyone gets off as efficiently as possible. If the other person isn't willing to oblige, well, you tried to do your part.' Regardless of how you feel, she emphasized the importance of patience and common courtesy in the deplaning process. 'If there is room, I am all for some of the passengers standing up in the aisle because this allows those still seated in the row a bit more elbow room and the ability to actually look around their seats to gather all of their belongings,' Smith said. 'It also allows for the overheads to be opened, making for easier unloading. What is not OK is pushing those standing in the aisle. Not every aisle seat will be able to stand, and if the passenger across the aisle from you has already stood, you will need to wait.' For those bothered by the aisle lice rush, she recommended booking a window seat and remaining seated until the majority of passengers have disembarked so that you may leave at your leisure. 'Honestly, what is more of a nuisance, especially in airplane travel, are those passengers who stand lollygagging in the aisle, turning this way and that, surprised that it is their turn, while blocking others from disembarking,' Smith said. 'Passengers who require extra time or assistance should, as the airline state, remain comfortably seated, allowing others to pass.' She also urged travelers to pay attention to where their fellow passengers' heads are as they pull their luggage from the overhead for those who stand up in the aisle during the flight, Smith emphasized presuming positive intent. 'Not everyone is able to sit still for hours on end,' she noted. 'For others, it may be medically necessary for them to walk and stretch during the journey.' Related... The Rudest Things You Can Do While Boarding A Plane A Definitive Guide To Airplane Seat Etiquette Is 'Check-In Chicken' The Ultimate Airplane Seat Hack? Here's What Experts Say.
New York Post
6 days ago
- New York Post
What are ‘aisle lice'? The problem plaguing air travel — and you might be one of them
Anyone who has taken a flight knows the mayhem that ensues the second the plane gets to the gate as passengers crowd into the aisle in a bid to exit the aircraft first. These pesky people are now being referred to as 'aisle lice,' and unless you have a connecting flight that's leaving in the very near future, it's rude to rush ahead of people. However, in a bid to avoid confrontation, those angered by the aisle lice should practice patience and politeness. Advertisement Travel experts told HuffPost that it's important to be patient and practice common courtesy — no matter how annoyed you are. 'Stand by and let pass, or kill 'em with kindness,' Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the flight alert service Going, told the outlet. 3 The people who instantly crowd into the aisle are often referred to as 'aisle lice.' Thomas Barwick via Getty Images Advertisement She advised politely asking the person if they have a connection or an emergency that requires them to get off the plane as soon as possible. If they don't, explain to them that there is an etiquette to deplaning so everyone can get off as efficiently as possible. 'If the other person isn't willing to oblige, well, you tried to do your part.' Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, shared with HuffPost that there are some instances when standing in the aisle can be acceptable — but most of the time it isn't polite behavior. 'If there is room, I am all for some of the passengers standing up in the aisle because this allows those still seated in the row a bit more elbow room and the ability to actually look around their seats to gather all of their belongings. It also allows for the overheads to be opened, making for easier unloading,' Smith said. Advertisement 'What is not OK is pushing those standing in the aisle. Not every aisle seat will be able to stand, and if the passenger across the aisle from you has already stood, you will need to wait.' The best way to avoid aisle lice, she said, is to book a window seat and stay seated until a majority of people are out of the way. Passengers who need extra time or assistance to deplane should wait until passengers are disembarked, as airlines usually request. 'Honestly, what is more of a nuisance, especially in airplane travel, are those passengers who stand lollygagging in the aisle, turning this way and that, surprised that it is their turn, while blocking others from disembarking,' Smith said. 3 Many passengers feel frustrated by aisle lice and can't help but be bothered. Getty Images/iStock Advertisement Smith also advised not judging too quickly and to first assume that the passengers standing don't mean to be in others' way. 'Not everyone is able to sit still for hours on end,' she explained. 'For others, it may be medically necessary for them to walk and stretch during the journey.' Another valid reason could be if the passenger had a long delay and their connection time is now shorter, meaning just a few seconds could make or break the person making their next flight. 'But other passengers are just done being seated and want to stand to stretch their legs,' Smith said. 'And yes, there are a subset of passengers that are just plain pushy.' 3 There are a few instances when standing in the aisle can be acceptable. Goffkein – In some places, aisle lice has become a bigger issue. Turkish Aviation Authorities implemented a fine for fine passengers who stand up early and crowd aircraft aisles while waiting to deplane, with penalties reaching nearly $70. 'Aisle lice' is related to the concept of 'gate lice,' the people who crowd the gate area during boarding, even before their boarding group is called.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Flying or driving for July 4? Here's the best time to leave, busiest travel times in California
Summer travelers, gear up. This Fourth of July is going to be a busy one, especially across California. Independence Day is often one of the busiest travel periods outside the winter holidays, and this year is expected to be no different. A record-setting 72.2 million travelers are estimated to go on a domestic trip between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6, according to AAA. That's 2.4% more than last year. As usual, driving will be the most popular mode of transportation, as a predicted 61.6 million car travelers will hit the road. However, air passengers are also projected to break a record, with 5.84 million fliers despite round-trip domestic airfare being 4% more expensive than last year at an average of $810. This year, the Fourth of July is a long weekend – the perfect chance for a summer getaway. "It's been almost a decade since travelers have had a 'Fourth of July Friday,' meaning they are likely taking full advantage of the long weekend to build out longer trips," said Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. "For travelers who are planning an international getaway this year, the day-off positioning means people can strategically build a weeklong trip without burning a full work week of PTO." Here's what to know about Fourth of July travel in 2025. Study: California has some of the best and worst airports for business travelers in the US According to Going, airfare during the Fourth of July week runs slightly higher than the rest of the summer because of travel demand. Still, summer ticket prices overall are down 7% from last year. For the holiday week, domestic airfare averages 3.4% more at $585, while international flights are higher by 3.9%, averaging $1,396. Travelers can save a few bucks – and avoid crowds – if they fly on the holiday itself. What is the best US airline? This carrier topped The Points Guy's 2025 Best Airlines list Domestic Orlando, Florida Seattle New York Anchorage, Alaska Fort Lauderdale, Florida Honolulu Denver Miami Boston Atlanta International Vancouver, British Columbia Rome Paris London Barcelona Dublin Amsterdam Calgary, Alberta Athens, Greece Lisbon, Portugal For the two weeks surrounding the holiday, car travelers should aim to embark in the morning to avoid the worst traffic, according to Inrix. Here are the best travel times: Saturday, June 28 - Before 10 a.m. Sunday, June 29 - Before 11 a.m. Monday, June 30 - Before noon Tuesday, July 1 - Before 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 - Before noon Thursday, July 3 - Before noon Friday, July 4 - Before noon Saturday, July 5 - Before 11 a.m. Sunday, July 6 - Before 11 a.m. Drivers can anticipate the busiest days on the road to be Wednesday, July 2, as people head to their destinations and Sunday, July 6, when they return home, according to Inrix. Throughout the rest of the travel period, afternoons will likely see the most congestion. Below are the worst travel times: Saturday, June 28 - Between noon and 5 p.m. Sunday, June 29 - Between 2 and 4 p.m. Monday, June 30 - Between 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 1 - Between 3 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 - Between noon and 9 p.m. Thursday, July 3 - Between 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, July 4 - Between noon and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 5 - Between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, July 6 - Between noon and 6 p.m. San Francisco Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from San Francisco to Sacramento, California, on I-80 E at 5:30 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Sacramento to San Francisco on I-80 W at 4:30 p.m. Los Angeles Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Los Angeles to San Diego on I-5 S at 5 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on I-15 S at 5 p.m. Atlanta Departing: Sunday, June 29, from Atlanta to Birmingham, Alabama, on I-20 W at 12:15 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Savannah, Gerorgia, to Atlanta on I-16 W at 2:30 p.m. Boston Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Boston to Hyannis, Massachusetts, on Route 3 S at 10:45 a.m. Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Hyannis to Boston on Route 3 N at 11:45 a.m. Denver Departing: Monday, June 30, from Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado, on I-25 N at 1:45 p.m. Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Fort Collins to Denver on I-25 S at 6:30 p.m. Houston Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Houston to Galveston, Texas, on I-45 S at 11:15 a.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Galveston to Houston on I-45 N at 11:45 a.m. New York Departing: Tuesday, July 1, from New York City to Jersey Shore of New Jersey on Garden State Pkwy S at 4:30 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Albany, New York, to New York City on I-87 S at 4:15 a.m. Seattle Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from Seattle to Ocean Shores, Washington, on I-5 S at 5:45 p.m. Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Ellensburg, Washington, to Seattle on I-90 E at 430 p.m. Washington Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Washington to Annapolis, Maryland, on US-50 E at 1:45 p.m. Returning: Friday, July 4, from Annapolis to Washington on US-50 W at 11:30 a.m. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The busiest travel days for Fourth of July: how to beat the rush
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Travel + Leisure
27-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Protests Against Overtourism Are Erupting Across Europe—Here's What Travelers Need to Know
Recently, protests and walkouts have defined some of Europe's most popular cities. Employees at the Louvre Museum in Paris walked off the job, causing it to close. Protestors gathered en masse in Barcelona, cheering and holding signs that said things like 'mass tourism kills the city,' and wielding water guns—the images have become synonymous with the movement against overtourism. In Lisbon, people staged an 'eviction' from a church as a way to highlight the dramatically increased cost of living caused by the short-term rental market that springs up in popular tourist destinations. For travelers who have been planning, saving, and eagerly awaiting their European summer vacations, the demonstrations feel like the opposite of a warm welcome, and they can make a vacation seem like an ethical dilemma. This framework, local versus tourist, is nothing new, though. It's why some people try to draw the distinction between being a "tourist" and a "traveler." Getting to the bottom of these protests, and the feelings behind them is vital—for tourists, locals, and the cities at the center of the conversation. Here's what you need to know about overtourism. Protestors march during an anti-tourism protest on June 15, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. 'Overtourism is almost like too much of a good thing,' said Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going, to Travel + Leisure . 'We tend to forget as travelers that these incredible places we love to visit have locals who live their day-to-day lives there. Communities have been cemented here long before these places gained popularity.' Once a location becomes a 'can't miss' destination, it can be hard to prepare for just what that means. 'In the case of these famous cities and sites, they unfortunately were not set up centuries ago to handle the type of traffic year after year,' Nastro said. The negative effects of a city becoming popular to visit are not as obvious as it is in natural environments, where you can see traces of trash or decimated wildlife. While beaches and forests might be obviously suffering from a lack of proper conservation, it can be harder to spot the stress that too many visitors can cause in cities. Helene Møgelhøj, a sustainable travel and regenerative tourism expert says that while locals will feel the impacts first, they will affect everyone—including tourists. 'In big cities, the effects of over tourism are not necessarily immediately obvious to the visitor, apart from perhaps congestion and overcrowding,' Møgelhøj said. 'However, for local people, a large increase in visitor numbers can lead to a shortage of affordable housing and general price increases at, for example, local restaurants.' In addition to increased costs and a decreased ability for locals to enjoy their own cities, overtourism puts an added burden on public infrastructure, which is usually funded by taxes. So, locals end up footing the bill for maintenance of a place they aren't able to enjoy fully because it is too expensive and too crowded to do so. However, locals often get messaging that tourism is good for the local economy, so they should be grateful, in a way. That's not inherently true—oftentimes, multinational corporations are the primary beneficiary of tourism spending, explains Møgelhøj. 'In today's global economy, many tourism and hospitality businesses are owned and run by multinationals,' she said. 'The vast majority of people do not benefit directly from an increase in visitor numbers. However, they may benefit from tourism indirectly through the so-called 'multiplier' effect, which means increased spending in the local economy overall due to tourism.' None of this means that tourism is inherently bad. Asier Basurto, a member of the 'tourism degrowth' group that helped organize some of the protests in San Sebastián, Spain, told The Guardian in a June 2025 article that tourists aren't the enemy. 'People who go on vacation to one place or another are not our enemies, nor are they the target of our actions,' Basurto said in the article. 'Let me be clear: our enemies are those who speculate on housing, who exploit workers, and those who are profiting handsomely from the touristification of our cities.' Crowds of tourists on La Rambla pedestrian street in the summer.Møgelhøj believes that tourism can actually have a powerful, positive impact on local communities. 'I'm a great believer in tourism as a force for good,' she said. But she also thinks that responsible tourism cannot rest solely on the individual shoulders of visitors. 'It is crucial to have an effective destination management organization in place that represents the interests of local people as well as large multinational stakeholders,' Møgelhøj says. "The local government should be part of this, as well as the national government, which has an important role in terms of creating a positive and beneficial tourism policy and strategic framework.' There are examples of efforts like this, even in Spain, where some of the biggest anti-overtourism protests have taken place. 'Today in our most visited cities and resorts, we need measures in place so that we can maintain the balance between a thriving tourism industry and the wellbeing of residents, ensuring that tourism remains a positive force for good for all,' Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, told T+L in a statement. 'Proposed legislation such as Barcelona's clampdown on privately let tourist apartments and ... adjustments to tourist taxes outside of the winter months, reflect Spain's ongoing efforts to build a responsible and sustainable tourism model.' Nastro agrees and says that tourism needs to be a 'a fine balance of supporting the local economy, [and] keeping locals able to operate in their local economy.' A protest banner against mass tourism in the Ciutat Vella (Old City), Barcelona. Making more intentional choices as a traveler not only benefits locals—it also means you're less likely to spend your trip in sweaty crowds and long lines. Here are Møgelhøj' and Nastro's tips for thoughtfully vacationing in ways that won't contribute to (or be ruined by) overtourism. 'Stay away from any protests and demonstrations so as not to aggravate the situation,' Møgelhøj said. "In general, walk or cycle around and take the opportunity to explore the lesser-known areas of any destination that you visit," Møgelhøj said. "The most memorable experiences tend to be least planned and unexpected." This one is pretty self-explanatory, but being courteous and respectful of local culture and customs can go a long way in improving the experience of both tourists and locals. The best way not to be surprised by protests is to keep up with the news in the places you're traveling to. 'First and foremost, be aware if the city you are traveling to has planned or has had protests recently,' Nastro said. '... Follow local news organizations to stay the most up-to-date on when and where they may take place. [That's] going to give you more accurate and timely info than U.S.-based outlets.' It's always a good idea to have some emergency contacts on hand in case things go wrong on your trip—and it's never a bad idea to know where the local U.S. embassy is. Both Nastro and Møgelhøj advise planning trips in the "off season" of your destination. 'Traveling in the shoulder season, or even better, in the off-season, can be a great way to lessen the likelihood of encountering long lines at some of the world's most iconic sites,' Nastro said. If you're planning on visiting a popular attraction, try visiting during less busy times. Or, if you want to visit a popular tourist destination, Nastro recommends staying in a nearby town and making a day trip to the city to see the sights. Perhaps one of the direct and most impactful ways that you can be a "good" traveler is being intentional about where you spend your money. Nastro recommends staying in locally owned and operated hotels, buying from small vendors and artisans, and venturing outside of busy city centers to more rural, off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Boston Globe
26-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Boston Globe
The stuff of nightmares. Here's how to avoid the dreaded bag check.
Some travelers swear by the 3-3-3 packing rule for trips lasting less than a week — three tops, three bottoms, three pairs of shoes. This is a guy's summer version. What do you think? Diane Bair Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 3-3-3 or 5-4-3-2-1? A few days before you go, spread out everything that you think you want to pack on the bed. Try stuff on and take a look in that one truth-telling mirror that we all have. This will avoid packing something that has odd stains or (gasp!) no longer fits well because you're in much better shape than you were last summer. Advertisement You've probably heard the 3-3-3 rule, created by a fashion stylist. 'I use this consistently for trips less than seven days,' says Katy Nastro, company spokesperson for subscription-based travel service ( An updated take on this: The 5-4-3-2-1 packing formula. This is basically tailoring your wardrobe to your trip. As Nastro explains it, 'Say you are heading on a beach vacation and realistically will live in breezy dresses and bathing suits. So, you pack five dresses because you'll reach for this item the most, followed by four bathing suits, and then go down the list,' limiting or eliminating the items you won't wear as much. Skip the 'just in case' stuff — you probably won't need sequins or a tuxedo on that trip. Your closet probably holds one magic travel piece: A perfect dress or fabulous linen shirt that looks great and gets compliments everywhere you go. Bring it! And plan to wear it a couple of times. Nobody but you will know that it's on repeat. Advertisement Traveling as much as we do, we're fanatics about how much clothing weighs. We've found that casual clothing — gym clothes, leisurewear — can eat up a sneaky amount of luggage space. Our latest obsession: The feather-light pieces for men and women from Beyond Yoga ( Foldable shoes? Now you're talking. These Beemotion shoes by UYN are rollable, so you can pop them into your backpack for travel. Diane Bair The elephant in the bag: Shoes Shoes are always a major space-suck, which is why we advocate wearing your clunkiest pair on the plane — unless you're on a red-eye; then, put them in the carry-on and fill them up with socks and underwear. Still, shoes are problematic. We were happy to discover a new store on Newbury Street called UYN ( Some people buy shampoo and sunscreen when they arrive at their travel destination, but we'd rather be prepared. These squishy bottles are available at Target and CVS and they hold almost a weeks' worth of shampoo, conditioner, and sunscreen. Diane Bair Clean me up, Scotty! On to toiletries. Those L. L. Bean travel organizers ( Advertisement Madison Blancaflor, managing editor at The Points Guy ( We buy one of these for every traveler we know. They fold down well, and have a hook for hanging on a hotel towel rack. This one is slightly beat up, but still has some miles on it. Diane Bair As for hair tools? Not unless absolutely necessary. That said, 'in a pinch, I can use a hair straightener as a small iron for a shirt or dress if there is no iron or steamer in my short-term rental,' says Nastro, a fan of anything that can serve two purposes. To cube or not to cube 'Packing cubes are a game-changer — specifically compression or vacuum-seal packing cubes,' says Blancaflor. Agreed. We were committed to the roll-up game until we tried a set of these. In addition, they're great for organizing; we use a big one for outfits, a smaller one for workout gear and pajamas, a tiny one for underwear, and so on. Bring an extra one to hold any clean clothes left at the end of the trip. Blancaflor uses a mix of compression and vacuum-seal cubes, rolling the latter to get the air out. We're fans of the double-zipping mesh compression version. Advertisement Not a cubist? Some people roll, some people fold, and some people petal, Nastro says. 'The petal fold method is newer to the packing scene, designed to help with wrinkling and the odd bulge that makes it nearly impossible to close your bag. You simply lay each item flat, one on top of the other, letting the ends overflow from the bag,' she says. 'You're creating a clothing sandwich, letting the ingredients spill out a bit. When you're done laying your items, you fold in the ends, tucking them into the suitcase, so when you open it back up, the petals are the only thing that gets folded and potentially creased.' Petal power to the people! We've been using the Away standard carryon for years and it has never NOT fit into an overhead compartment. But we'd avoid this color (Salt White); it gets really marked up when the airline gate-checks it. Go for a darker shade. Diane Bair Papa's got a brand new bag We saw something distressing on our last trip — a traveler whose bag wouldn't fit into the overhead bin. One of those soft-side bags, stuffed to the gills, it was too wide to fit in the American Airlines bin, so the passenger frantically opened it and started pulling things out to make it skinnier. Clothes were flying around the cabin. (Did he eventually put some on? We don't know.) Don't be that guy. We swear by the Away standard carry-on ( If you really, truly need to check a bag, but don't want to pay for it . . . Many of us fly a variety of airlines, so we don't accrue the level of loyalty needed for a free bag check. And, unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all credit card that allows free checked bags, Blancaflor says. 'Most of the US airlines offer multiple co-branded credit cards that will allow at least one free checked bag,' so choose a card associated with the airline you fly most often. Advertisement For example, a loyal JetBlue flyer out of Boston Logan might choose one of the three JetBlue co-branded credit cards to get yourself and up to three travel companions (traveling on the same reservation) a free checked bag, Blancaflor says. If Southwest is your jam, you'd want to look at the Southwest line-up of Rapid Rewards credit cards. The Points Guy has a regularly-updated guide that outlines the co-branded cards offering a free checked bag across US airlines: 'If you're not particularly loyal to a specific airline, another option is Chase Sapphire Reserve ( Note that this card has an annual fee of $795. Chase recently raised the fee from $550, making it one of the most expensive premium travel credit cards on the market. Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
